Page 84 of Second Chance Saloon

For a time, he had been worried that the physical chemistry between them would slowly fizzle out. He wasn’t sure how common it was for people to still be so affected by their partner after a while. Or maybe he was given a bad example at home. He couldn’t remember when his parents last looked like they enjoyed each other’s company. But it turned out that, when it came to Jackie and him, there was nothing to be worried about. Their relationship blossomed into the most sturdy, precious flower, capable of withstanding the toughest conditions.

Turning his head to glance at her profile, he caught her already looking at him and was struck breathless. Gods, she was so beautiful. He still didn’t believe she was his.

“I’ve never seen a real bald eagle,” he said, not taking his eyes off her.

She returned her gaze to the sky. “The pair I’ve seen were performing a cartwheel courtship flight. It was the most magnificent thing.”

“They mate for life, don’t they?” His pinkie effortlessly found hers.

Jackie hooked her finger with his, as they had done countless times before. “They do. Some people call that flight Daredevil Cartwheel.”

“I thought it’s a predatory ritual, not a romantic one. Like showing dominance?”

“Yeah, it can be, I guess. But they do it for mating, too. What’s more romantic than testing the skill and determination of your life partner?” She rolled to her side and propped herself up on her elbow. “They lock talons at the start, then they free-fall to the ground.”

“How is that romantic?” Mitch teased, sitting cross-legged.

“That ritual tests how brave they are when faced with an extreme situation.” She sat as well. “Eagles paired with long-term partners engage in it too to renew their commitment to one another.”

Mitch pulled her closer, lifting her into his lap. “Do you want us to tumble down to the ground at risk of dying?”

She wrapped her legs around his waist, intertwining her fingers with his. “Of course not. But it’s romantic.”

He dropped a kiss to her forehead. “When have you seen them?”

She put her head against his chest, taking a deep breath. “Eight years ago, or so? I’ve been hoping to see them again ever since. I know winter months are the best for it.”

Mitch could hear her heartbeat amid the serene stillness surrounding them. The clear water in the lake reflected the sunrays.

“You never know, we might see them,” Mitch said into her glossy hair. “But for now, I think we should get into the lake before eating the contents of that basket.”

Jackie stiffened in his arms. “You go ahead. I’ll stay up here and watch.”

He lifted her chin and angled her face so that their eyes locked. “Please come with me?”

She inhaled and held her breath for a moment. When she let it out, the sparkle in her eyes was dimmed, like someone had switched off the light in her soul. “You know I can’t.”

“You won’t, there’s a difference.”

She groaned, untangling her limbs from his. “Mitch …”

“You don’t have to be scared. I’ll be right there with you, the whole time.”

Jackie tore her eyes from him, hugging her arms to her chest. “We tried before, and I couldn’t even go deeper than my ankles.”

“But today is a new day, and you can try again. I won’t let go of you, like the eagles you talked about.”

Her head snapped up, amusement crinkling her eyes. “Really, you had to go there?”

Mitch grinned. “You’re the one who brought it up.”

She inhaled deeply, eyeing the bank suspiciously.

He yanked his T-shirt off, kicked his boots away and undid his dusty jeans. “Come on. It’ll be nice and cool once we’re in.”

Jackie’s gaze was hot against the planes of his muscles as he stepped out of his trousers, took his socks off and pulled his boxers down. She giggled. “So, this is your plan, to bribe me with your body.”

“Is it working?”